My white wine turkey gravy is a flavorful and elegant twist on traditional gravy. This recipe combines the richness of a classic gravy base with the subtle tang of dry white wine, creating a smooth and savory sauce perfect for Thanksgiving dinner or any holiday turkey meal. With no turkey drippings required, it's made with just turkey broth and a few simple ingredients, making it both easy and delicious. Whether you're serving it over roast turkey or mashed potatoes, this white wine gravy recipe is sure to be a hit at your table. It's kind of the best turkey gravy recipe to exist!
This white wine turkey gravy is a staple at my Thanksgiving dinner, and I always have to double the recipe because everyone loves it so much! The combination of the rich, buttery gravy base and the touch of dry white wine makes it absolutely irresistible. While this recipe is made with turkey broth, you can definitely use turkey drippings for an extra boost of flavor. Just pour the drippings into a measuring cup, skim off the fat, and fill it up to 4 cups with stock. Whether you use drippings or broth, this gravy always turns out smooth, flavorful, and perfect for serving over turkey, mashed potatoes, or stuffing. It’s a must-have on our holiday table!
Looking for more? Try my ham gravy, meatball gravy, cranberry sauce, and garlic compound butter. Try this gravy on my Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing or Chicken Sausage Stuffing.
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🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Rich and Elegant Flavor: This white wine turkey gravy combines the smooth, savory richness of butter and broth with the light, tangy notes of dry white wine, creating a delicious balance that's perfect for any Thanksgiving dinner or holiday turkey meal.
- Easy and Customizable: With just a few simple ingredients, this gravy is quick and easy to prepare. Plus, you can use either turkey drippings or broth, making it versatile and adaptable depending on what you have on hand.
- Perfect for a Crowd: Everyone loves this gravy so much that I always have to double the recipe! Its velvety texture and rich flavor make it a hit with guests, whether drizzled over turkey, mashed potatoes, or stuffing.
🥘 Ingredients
- White Wine – Adds a bright, tangy flavor that elevates the richness of the gravy. It's used in two stages: for deglazing the roasting pan and to enhance the overall depth of the sauce. A dry white wine works best for this recipe.
- Salted Butter – Provides a rich, creamy base for the gravy and helps to create a smooth roux. The butter adds flavor and texture, making the gravy silky and indulgent.
- All-Purpose Flour – Thickens the gravy to the perfect consistency. It’s combined with butter to form a roux, which gives the gravy its signature smoothness and body.
- Turkey or Chicken Broth – Forms the main liquid base of the gravy, providing a savory and flavorful foundation. Using low-sodium broth allows you to control the salt level to your liking.
- Fresh Sage – Adds a fragrant, earthy note that pairs beautifully with the turkey flavors. Chopped and stirred into the gravy, it gives the sauce a fresh herbal element.
- Kosher Salt – Used to season the gravy, bringing out all the natural flavors of the other ingredients. A key seasoning that enhances the overall taste.
- Black Pepper – Adds a subtle spice and warmth to the gravy, balancing the richness with a slight kick.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Step by Step Instructions
Melt the Butter: Place a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of salted butter and let it melt completely, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning.
Make the Roux: Once the butter is fully melted, whisk in 6 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Continue to whisk constantly for about 5 minutes until the roux turns a golden-brown color, which will add a rich, nutty flavor to the gravy.
Deglaze with White Wine: Pour in ½ cup of dry white wine to deglaze the bottom of the pan. Whisk continuously, scraping up any bits that may have formed on the bottom. Allow the wine to reduce slightly as it simmers.
Add the Broth: Slowly add 4 cups of turkey or chicken broth, whisking constantly to ensure a smooth consistency. Gradually pouring the broth in a steady stream helps avoid lumps in the gravy.
Add the Remaining Wine and Sage: Stir in the remaining ½ cup of white wine and 1 tablespoon of fresh sage. Continue to whisk as the flavors combine.
Simmer and Thicken: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the gravy simmer for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency. The cooking process helps develop the flavor of the gravy base.
Season to Taste: Add kosher salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as needed to enhance the flavor of the gravy.
Serve: Once the gravy has thickened and is well-seasoned, remove it from the heat and serve hot. This gravy pairs perfectly with roast turkey, mashed potatoes, or stuffing.
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tips
- Use Dry White Wine for Best Flavor: Opt for a dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, to deglaze the pan and add a subtle tang to the gravy. Avoid sweet wines, as they can overpower the savory elements.
- Whisk Constantly for a Smooth Gravy: When making the roux and adding broth, whisk constantly to prevent lumps from forming. A smooth gravy base is essential for that silky, velvety texture everyone loves.
- Simmer for Full Flavor: Allow the gravy to simmer for 8-10 minutes, giving it time to thicken and the flavors to meld. This cooking process deepens the flavor and ensures a rich, luxurious gravy consistency.
- Season Gradually: Add kosher salt and black pepper a little at a time, tasting as you go. This way, you can adjust the seasoning without accidentally over-salting the gravy.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
Use Turkey Drippings: If you have turkey drippings on hand, you can substitute some of the broth with drippings for a richer flavor. Simply pour the drippings into a measuring cup, skim off the fat, and then fill the cup up to 4 cups with broth. This adds a deeper, more savory flavor to your gravy.
Swap the Broth: If you don’t have turkey broth, you can easily use chicken broth or stock instead. Chicken broth will give a lighter flavor, but it still creates a delicious gravy base.
Herb Variations: For a twist on the flavor profile, try adding different herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or even tarragon in place of or alongside the sage. These herbs complement the savory richness of the gravy and add a fresh, aromatic touch.
Vegetarian Version: For a meatless gravy, swap out turkey or chicken broth for vegetable broth. Use the same white wine and butter combination to create a flavorful vegetarian gravy perfect for mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
Wine Pairing: A crisp, dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio pairs beautifully with the light, tangy notes of the white wine turkey gravy. The acidity in the wine balances the richness of the gravy and complements roasted turkey or mashed potatoes perfectly. For a red wine option, try a light-bodied Pinot Noir.
Mashed Potatoes: This white wine turkey gravy is the perfect topping for creamy mashed potatoes. The smooth texture of the gravy complements the fluffiness of the potatoes, making them a must-have side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner or holiday turkey meal.
Roast Turkey: Of course, this gravy is made for drizzling over your roast turkey. Its rich, savory flavor enhanced by the white wine adds an elegant touch to any holiday turkey, making it the best turkey gravy to accompany your Thanksgiving feast.
Croissant Stuffing: Serve this gravy over stuffing for a truly indulgent experience. The sage in the gravy pairs wonderfully with traditional stuffing flavors, creating a harmony of holiday tastes in every bite.
Dinner Rolls: Don’t forget to have some warm dinner rolls on hand. They’re perfect for soaking up any extra gravy on your plate. The soft, fluffy texture of the rolls contrasts beautifully with the silky gravy, making for a satisfying side.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Using turkey drippings adds an extra layer of rich flavor to your gravy. To use drippings, simply pour them into a measuring cup and place it in the freezer for about 10 minutes to allow the fat to rise to the top. Skim off most of the fat, and then add enough broth to make 4 cups total. You can use this mixture in place of the broth in the recipe.
Yes! You can prepare the gravy up to 2 days in advance. After cooking, allow it to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve, gently reheat it over medium-low heat, whisking occasionally. If the gravy thickens too much in the fridge, you can add a little extra broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
A dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, works best for this recipe. These wines add a bright, tangy flavor without making the gravy too sweet. If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with extra turkey or chicken broth.
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store any leftover gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days. Make sure the gravy has cooled completely before sealing and refrigerating to preserve its flavor and texture.
Reheating: To reheat the gravy, transfer it to a medium saucepan and warm it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure it heats evenly. If the gravy has thickened too much during storage, add a splash of turkey or chicken broth to loosen it up and whisk until smooth.
Freezing: You can freeze this gravy for up to 3 months. After cooking, let the gravy cool completely and transfer it to a freezer-safe, airtight container, leaving a little room at the top to allow for expansion. When you’re ready to use it, thaw the gravy in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If the gravy separates during freezing, whisk it vigorously while reheating to restore its smooth consistency.
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🥗 Pairing Recommendations
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
White Wine Turkey Gravy Recipe (without Drippings)
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Equipment
- Roasting pan
- 4-cup measuring cup
- Large whisk
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Fat separator or spoon
- Medium saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 cup white wine divided
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups low-sodium turkey or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage chopped
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter: In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of salted butter over medium heat.
- Make the roux: Add 6 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the melted butter. Whisk constantly for about 5 minutes, until the roux turns golden brown.
- Deglaze with wine: Pour in ½ cup white wine and whisk, allowing it to reduce slightly.
- Add broth: Gradually whisk in 4 cups of low-sodium turkey or chicken broth until the mixture becomes smooth.
- Add remaining wine and sage: Stir in the remaining ½ cup white wine and 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped sage.
- Thicken: Cook the gravy over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it thickens, about 8-10 minutes.
- Season and serve: Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Serve warm.
🌡️ Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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